Wax-heating and sealing device



May 21, 1929.

J. wEiSAFaTH wAx HEATING ND SEALING DE\ 1GE Filed March 21, 1928 l Z Z5 l 4 i @V6 i /fuf /5 l l Patented May 2l, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JoHN WEISBARTH, oFMeDIsoN TOWNSHIP, HIGHLAND COUNTY, OHIO, AssIGNoRy or oNn'rHrRn To HENRY JOHN HOFFMAN AND ONE-THIRD To CARI. WILLIAM i LAUBSCHER, OF MANSFIELD, OHIO.

WAX-HEATING AND SEALING DEVICE.

Application filed March 21, 1928.

ywax-heating lo trical heat unit which means has attached intended by one hand thereto auxiliary means for stamping an emblem, letters or the like in the wax material which has been melted by the electrical unit for the purpose intended.

A further object is to provide a means for holding and heating waX made in the form of a stick without changing the form or disassembling any part of the Wax sealing device and which sealing stick of wax is constantly fed by gravity to the point where the same is discharged as it is melted preparatory to ,stamping and' sealing the-letter, package or the like.

.Another Object of the device consists in providng a simple, durable and efficient unit device Which is self-contained and can be operated with a minimum amount of time and labor to o'tl'ectually seal. and stamp the Wax on letters, packages or the like Without the assistance of any other tool or device in so doing and at the same time permit the `operatorl topertormthe work without mussing up or creating a disagreeable or dirty messinso doing.

A further object is to provide a unit tubular member which is adapted to receive a handle, provided with means .for holding or maintaining a stickV of Wax, means for mounting insulators thereon for mounting the terminals of an electrical connection and also providing means for mounting, thereon a heating element composed of resistance wire coiled around the tubular members in spaced apart relation. Y

Another object of the invention is to provide a device that canbe manipulated to perform the functions desired for the purpose of the operator.

These and other objects are attained by the mechanisml illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which z- Fig. 1 is a side elevation in vertical section of the invention in closed position.

' around the vexterior finish for showing the pivoted valve Serial No. `263,313.

Fig. 2 is avertical side elevation'showing the pivoted valve in closed position infull lines and in open position in dotted lines.

Fig. 8 shows a plan view of wax material having an emblem stamped therein.

- In the drawing reference numeral 1 represents a tubular member madel of brass. adapted to have lmounted thereon the complete operating mechanism of thedevice. A Wooden khandle 2 is mounted upon one'end of the tubular member and is provided with a reduced portion 3 forming a collar.

A cup-shaped fibre member 4 is fitted to the reduced portion 3 and is. adapted to house the terminals 5 and 6 of the wires 7 which supply kcurrent from a lightxsocket connection or other source of electric energy.. Mica as 1ndicated by reference numeral 8 is `wrapped peripheryof the tubular member l at its lower end and projects upward to a point beyond the terminals of the Wire 7 indicated at 9 for the purpose of insulation.

A resist-ance wire or the like 10 is connected to the termianland is coiled around the mica 8, each one of the coilsbeing arranged inv spaced apart relation fromeaoh other.. The return end of the resistance wire 11 is attached to the terminal 6. The resistance wire 10 lies in closecontact with the mica 8 insulating it from the tubularniember'l to prevent short circuiting. 1

An insulating pressedy over andbetween the spaced'apart coils of lthe resistance wire that is coiled around the tubular member l, thereby insulating the coils of the resistance Wire from each other and also forming a thin layer of insulating material over and around the resistance coils of wire. Y

A tubular jacket member 13 is provided and is adapted to fit around the periphery of .the insulating compound 12 to provide a smooth the lower portion of the The upper' portion of is provided with -an tubular memberV 1.

they tubular member outwardly extending washer 15 is attached any other well known libre Washer 15 is attached to thehandle 2 and the cup-shaped libre member 4 by wood screws or the like 16. I v

The washer 15 contacts with the bottom of the cup-shaped lbre member k4 `forming a plastic compoundY 12 is flange V1li and a libre` theretov by beading or fastening means. The A chamber 17 toho se `the terminals 5 and 6. The lower end ol the tubular jacket member 13 is turned inwardly forming an annular flange 18, the inner edge of which preferably contacts with the tubular member 1. The

lower portion of the tubular member l is made or provided with a :tunnel-shaped member 19 having an outlet opening therein as indicated at 20.

The above describes the method of constructing the heating element of the device.

In `the use of the device a stick of wax 21 or lthe like is inserted within the tubular member land rests upon the curved shouldered portion 22 et the funnel member 19. Supply wires 'i' are attached at their tree ends to a plug 23 which is adapted to be attached to a light socket in the usual manner. The current turned on or oil' by an ordinary switch, V(notshown) and is adapted to pass through the coils ot the resistance wire -10 which transmit heatto the tubular member l; thence to the stick of wax, melting the same to permit itto iiow and be discharged from the outlet opening 20.

Toprevent or permit the flow or discharge of the'melted wax from the opening 20 as desireda valve mechanism is' used which is constructed as follows:

An operating member 2li preferably 'formed U-shaped in cross section and preferably made of sheet material is provided with inwardly extending ear portions 25 which eb;- tend around and to the center of the cupshaped libre member l in opposed relation to each other and is pivoted thereon by pins or bolts 26. rlhe operating member 2li is also provided with a handle portion 27 which preferably made .integral therewith. llt stamp 28 is provided tor stamping an emblem, letters or the like into the wax after same `is melted and deposited upon anionvelope, pad or the like and is secured to the endoi' the operating member.

A valve comprising an arm 29 and a closure valve member 30 is provided and pivoted upon apin 31. The valve is positioned ou the` operating member 24 so as to be adapted to close the'outlet opening 2O when in normal position. The end of the arm 29 is notched or biturcated and is adapted to move in contact with the periphery of the jacket memn ber 13- and `tilted to close the outlet opening` 2O when the operating member 2d is actuated aslshown in Fig. 2 in dotted and full lines.

fllhepurpose oit bijurcating or notching the upper end of the member 29 is to guide and keep the valve moving in true alinement with the outlet opening 20 o'l' the tubular member Vl. Y

Thearm 29 .is made heavier than the closure `member 8O so as to permit it to overbalance the member '39 and thereby automatically keep `the bifurcated or notched end of the closure member 30 in contact with the periphery of the jacket member 13 of the device, when in use. The valve closure member 30 is normally held in closed position, as shown in Fig. 2 by coil spring 32 which is compressed between the abuts against thel t handle 2 at one end and the opposite end abuts against the handle portion 27 of the operating member 24, thereby normally and under yielding tension exerting a pressure to maintain the closure member in closed position over the outlet opening 20 of the 'tunnelshaped member 19 as shown in full lines in Fig. 2.

llllhen it is desired to permit the melted wax to `flow from the opening `20, the handle 27 of the operating member 24 is pressed inwardly counteracting the tension of the spring an d causing the operating member 24 toswing toward and to the dotted line pesition shown in Fig. 2 and away from the outlet opening 20, thereby permitting` the melted wai; to flow or be discharged l'rom and through the outlet opening 20.

When the required amount of wax is discharged 'from the outlet Vopening 20, the pressure upon the handle 27 is released and the operating member and the valve closure member 30 carried thereby is forced by the pressure oi the spring 32 to the position shown in full lines directly underneath and over the outlet opening 20 and in contact with the end oit the funnel portion or the tubular member l as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, thereby preventing further flow of the wax from the outlet opening 20. This operation is repeated until thewax stick is exhausted, then it more sealing is required, other sticks ot'wax are inserted within the interior oftheV tubular member 1. l

It will be notedthat the operation oi the device for sealing purposes can be carried on indefinitely without loss of time or labor by disassembling any part or portion ot the wax sealing `device to permit insertion ot' solid wan for melting.

The Vvalve member is formed and the arm and closure members are spaced apart in such a relation to each other as to provide for the closure member being moved in close'contact with the end oli' the 'funnel-shaped portion ol the tubular member, so as to-close the outlet opening 20-therein and at the same timeiprovide tor thebiifurcated endet the arm 29ibeingV moved in contact with the `periphery olf the jacket member 13 during the-use et `the device.

The operation in brief asas follows:

The socket member `23 is connected to a conventional light socket which is controlled by the ordinary snap switch'. lNhen the current is turned on it is conductedto'the coiled resistance wire 10 heating-the element which transmits its heat to the lstick of wax 21 melting same.

llVhcn the stick ot' wax reduced by tthe process-of` heating to a liquid state, the operator grasps the handle 2 and then presses` the lingers on the handle 27 pivoting the operating member 24 from its normal position as shown in Fig. 2, which operation withdraws the closure member from its position over the outlet opening 20, thereby allowing the wax to be discharged or flow from said opening.`

When the desired amount of wax for sealinghas been dischargedA from the outlet opening 20, the handle 27 is released and the operating member which carries the valve mechanism is automatically moved by the conipressed spring 32 to its normal or closed position and the ilow or discharge ot the melted wax is thereby cut oli' by the closure member 30. rlhe stamp 28 carried by the operating member 24 is then pressed into the wax material forming therein any emblem, letter or the like that is formed on the stamp.

It will be noted that the device ior all purposes intended can be manipulated or operated by one hand of the user.

I claim:

l. In a wax melting and sealing device, a member adapted to receive Wax'or the like, an electric heating element associated with the first mentioned member and adapted to be connectedt'o an electric circuit, means for carrying a stamp wliiehis pivotally attached to the wax receiving member, and an independent separate valve mechanism pivotally attached to the stamp carrying means in spaced relation to the stamp which is actuated by the stamp carrying means.

2. In a wax melting and'sealing device, a member adapted to receive wax or the like, an electric heating element associated with the first mentioned member and adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, means i'or carrying a stamp which is pivotally attached to the Wax receiving member, and an independent separate valve mechanism pivotally attached to the stamp carrying means in spaced relation to the stamp which is actuated by the stamp carrying means, being supported in spaced relation receiving member.

3. In a combined Wax melting and sealing device, a unit tubular member comprising al container which is adapted to receive and support a stick of wax preparatory to melting same, said tubular member being provided with a tunnel-shaped portion having a restricted opening in the lower end, means secured to the tubular member to provide a chamber for the terminals of the wires of an electric circuit, a member attached to the eX- terior of the means providing the chamber `which carries a stamp which extends below the restricted opening ofthetubular member, an independent separate valve mechanism located in close proximity to the restricted opening of the unit tubular member and adapted the stamp to thevwax and to be operated by the means carrying .the stamp'to close or open the restricted opening of the unit tubular member and locatedy in separate relation from the stamp, as and for the purpose described.

4. In a combined wax melting and sealing device, container which is adapted to receive a stick of wax, acup-shaped member and a washer mounted on the tubular member to provide a chamber for the terminalsof an electric wire, a resistance wire connected to an electric circuit coiled around the lower portion of the unit tubular member, a member pivote'd tothe parts forming the chamber carrying a' stamp at its lower end and which is positioned in a unit tubular member comprising a k spaced relation to the lower end of the uliit tubular member, an independent separate valve mechanism pivotally mounted on the member carrying the stamp and located-in separate relation from the stamp which is adapted to close the opening in the lower portion of the tubular at the will of the operator.

5. In a combined Wax melting and sealingl device, a unit tubular member having a resistance Wire coiled around a portion thereof,

an insulated handle mounted-on the tubular member and open same member, means to provide a chamber for the terminals of an electric circuit and which is attached to the insulated handle and mounted on the exterior of the tubular member, means pivotally attached to the means providing the chamber having a stamp attached thereto which ispositioned in spaced relation to the lower portion of the tubular member,- anindependent separate valve mechanism pivotally attached to the stamp and'in spaced apart relation from the stamp carrying means` which is adapted toclose or open the aperture formed in the lower end of the tubular memla funnel-shaped portion Yprovided on the lower portion of the unit tubular member and provided with an out-let o ening, a resistance wire coiled around the unit tubular member and connected to a source of electrical energy, -terminalsand the ends of a resistance wire mounted in the chamber formed by the cup-shaped member and libre washer, means to permit or prevent as desired the discharge of the melted waX- from the outletopening provided in the funnel-shaped portion of the unit tubular member.

7 In a combined Wax melting and sealing device, a unit tubular member having the top thereof Open and a restricted opening in the lower lportion to provide means for inserting and supportinga stick of wax therein, a `woodenhandle mounted on the upper portion of the unit tubular member, a resistance wire coiled around the lower portion ot the unit tubular member and connected to an electric circuit, a cup-shaped fibre member and a `libre washer mounted on the unit tubular member providing a chamber for the terminalsrof the resistance wire, an operating member pivotally attached to the cup-shaped libre member, a valve mechanism comprising a closure member and an arm pivotally mounted on the operating member and adapted to be actuated to open or close the restricted outlet opening at the will of the user.

8. In a device oit the character described, a tubular member adapted tor insertion at one endet a stick of wax, a resistance wire coiled aroundthe tubular member and adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, a handle made of wood mounted on the upper portion ot the tubular member and having an en larged portion at the bottom thereof, a cupshaped libre member attached 'to the enlarged port-ion of the handle and a libre washer at tached tothe cup-shaped member to torni a chamber around the exterior ot the tulmlar member to house the terminals olthe electrical circuit in association with the cupshaped member.

9. In a device oiE the character described, a tubular member adapted for insertion ot a stick of wax, a resistance wire coiled around the tubular member and adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, a handle made ot wood mounted on the upper portion ot the tubular member and having an enlarged lowerV portion, a cup-shaped nbre member mounted on the handle and attached to the lower portion of the wooden handle, a fibre washer attached to the cup-shaped member forming a chamber in association with the cup-shaped member, an independent means pivotally connected to the cup-shaped libre member and having its lower portion positioned in spaced relation from the bottom ot the tubular member and also having a stamp secured thereto. Y

l0. In a device of the character described, a tubular member adapted for insertion of a stick ot' wax, a resistance wire coiled around the tubular member and adapted to be connected to an electric circuit, a handle made oit wood mounted on the upper portion of the tubular member and havingI an enlarged lower portion, a cup-shaped libre member mounted on the handle and attached to the lower portion ot the wooden handle, a libre Washer attached to the cup-shaped member forming a chamber in association with the eup-shaped member, means pivotally connected to the cup-shaped fibre member and having its lower portion positioned in spaced relation from the bottom of the tubular member and also having a stamp secured thereto, an independent Valve mechanism pivotally attached to the operating means andadapt* ed to close or open the aperture provided in the lower portion ot the tubular 4member to permit or prevent the flow ot wax as `desired.

ll. ln a combined wax melting and sea-ling device, a unit tubular member, a handle made et wood attached to the upper portion vthereo1t, heating device comprising a resistance wire coiled around the lower portion of the unit tubular member, fibre members attached to the wooden handle thereof to house terminalsfol an electric circuit, means secured to the housing that carries a stamp on the lower end thereof, which stamp is positioned in spaced relation tothe aperture termed in the unit tubular member, an independent valve mechanism pivotally attached to the stamp carrying means which is adapted to close or open the aperture 'formed in the tubular member when the meanscarrying the stamp is actuated.

ln testimony whereof I atX my signature.

JOHN WEISBARTH. 

